Hon. Franz Manderson, Deputy Governor announced, 4 February 2015, the Special Olympics Cayman Islands (SOCI) will be this year’s beneficiary of the DG’s 5K Challenge to be held on 26 April 2015.

The DG’s 5K Challenge event brings together civil servants, private sector employees and members of the general public in a fitness and fundraising challenge. In keeping with Deputy Governor Franz Manderson’s vision to have a healthier, more active and more socially engaged civil service, the DG’s 5K Challenge benefits charitable organisations and initiatives in the Cayman Islands.

Now in its second year, the DG’s 5K Challenge has set its sights on raising funds and awareness for the Special Olympics Cayman Islands, its programmes and athletes, and to support their ambition to attend the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, California, this summer.

SOCI provides sports training for athletes with intellectual challenges for ages 5 years up to adult, and is strongly based on the premise that with sports training and competition, athletes lead fuller, more self-sufficient lives, and are able to achieve success on and off the field of competition.

“It is fitting to raise awareness of SOCI, its programmes, its contribution to our community well-being, and to shine the spotlight on the dedicated athletes that overcome significant challenges in their pursuit of excellence,” said Mr. Manderson. “There is alignment of SOCI’s values with those of the DG’s 5K Challenge, thus, what better way to ‘challenge’ our civil servants and community to support SOCI and the ambitions of these athletes,” he added.

The DG’s 5K Challenge is open to all ages and abilities, and provides many opportunities to support and participate. This year’s objective is to raise $20,000 for SOCI and be the largest 5K event of its kind.

“We are honoured to be chosen as the recipient of this year’s DG’s 5K Challenge. This event will certainly help to raise the profile of our programmes and our athletes,” said Ms. Antoinette Johnson, Head of Delegation, Special Olympics Cayman Islands. “We will have the largest delegation ever attending the Special Olympic World Games this summer, with 28 athletes and nine unified partners. This fundraiser is a huge boost to our efforts to ensure our athletes are able to attend and have the experience of a lifetime,” she added.

Registration for the DG’s 5K Challenge opens on 2 March 2015, and welcomes support and participation through a wide range of opportunities: donation, volunteering, participation and sponsorship. Registration, questions and expressions of interest can be emailed to [email protected] .